Tag: television

If your family is like mine, summer nights are more often Netflix and chill (like, actually chilling, not a euphemism) than theater and $7 snacks. So, I thought I’d look ahead to the next month and round up what’s new on Netflix for families in August so we can map out some fun viewing time, beat the late summer heat, and save a few bucks by popping our own popcorn. Of course the big release this month is Sing! (at very top), the Golden Globe-nominated kids’ movie that’s full of recent pop songs with impressive performances. I’m a fan, and my...

You may have heard Gilmore Girls fans across the globe collectively freaking out over the revival event coming to Netflix Thanksgiving weekend — Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. We will, of course, be watching while Rory continues to figure out her life and career, Lorelai struggles to understand her relationship with Luke, and both of them eat way more junk food than anyone ever should. Of course, these four episodes will be so much better if you watch with friends, so we’ve collected some fun and easy ideas to help you throw an epic Gilmore Girls watch party. These are low on the DIY component,...

Ah, the tween years. That in-between stage when your kid is so not your baby anymore, but not yet your teenager. They start to think the sweet, educational shows they used to love are “for babies,” but you’re not ready to let them watch shows with teens who are often depicted as bratty or rude to their parents (cough), or are deep in the world of dating. Boy, do I miss the Sesame Street years… The good news is there really are cool TV shows for tweens that you might not know about. Since we already covered these favorite family-friendly TV shows for kids, I polled our editors and came up...

If you think kids’ music is the stuff that makes you want to jab forks into your ears, then you need to listen to the latest episode of Spawned with Kristen + Liz, featuring the one-and-only Lisa Loeb! This indie alt rocker sensation turned mom of two and kindie musician has a lot to say about everything from why kids can like both Bowie and Twinkle Twinkle, and her newest projects — there are many! Listen to our interview with Lisa directly here or right from on iTunes, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast feed so you never miss an episode of Spawned! Links from Episode 51, Chatting...

On this week’s episode of Spawned with Kristen and Liz, we’re chatting with humorist and writer Wendi Aarons about one of the most popular posts she wrote on Cool Mom Picks: The 9 worst television shows for kids. Wow, did people have a lot to say about this post. Is Wendi a “frigid witch” as one commenter called her for putting Teletubbies at the top? How did Caillou not make this list? All is revealed on this episode, along with our current favorite kids’ shows, and our cool picks of the week that you won’t want to miss. You can listen here right now,...

We’re happy to welcome guest columnist, Wendi Aarons. She’s funny. When I was pregnant with my first son, way back in 2001, I had no intention of ever letting him watch television. Expose my precious baby’s developing brain to the mindless crap that spewed from the idiot box? Not I! Instead, I would spend all day, every day lovingly teaching him to calculate sums with the wood abacus I’d handcrafted out of the olive tree in our yard. The olive tree that was nourished by my buried placenta, of course. That grand notion didn’t last long. In fact, it...

To commemorate what would have been Mister Rogers’ 88th birthday today, we’re going to get him all dressed up for the special occasion. How about a purple cardigan and a pair of roller skates? Or maybe a fireman’s hat, sunglasses, and a bowtie? With the Hello Neighbor! Mister Rogers magnetic dress up set, you can dress up one of your childhood favorites in a whole host of getups — iconic smile included. Related: Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Mister Rogers sticky notes The magnetic wardrobe and props, which include King Friday XIII, Lady Elaine Fairchild, and X the Owl, come...

It’ll be a beautiful day in the neighborhood for someone who gets a set of these awesome Mister Rogers sticky notes I just found. Featuring the iconic images of Mister Rogers and his comfy cardigan, as well as Lady Elaine Fairchild, X the Owl, King Friday XIII, and Daniel Striped Tiger, you or your kids can tab pages in a book you are reading or leave little notes around the house. For best results, tab all the smartest pages with X the Owl and save Lady Elaine for anything that makes you feel kind of cranky. Daniel Striped Tiger would only go on my very...

It’s like you blink and you’ve gone from back to school shopping for toddler backpacks to those annoying extra-long twin sheets for dorm room beds. So whether you’re sending your own kid off to college this year (sniff!), or maybe your niece, nephew, or even grandchild, we’ve got a ton of ideas that will help make their dorm room feel more like home. Or maybe even better in some ways. [click here for our 2016 back to school guide] That’s why we’re thrilled to be partnering with Best Buy, which is more than just tech. In fact, it’s more like a one-stop...

If you need a break from all child-media, ooh, you’re in for a treat today! Check out our newest extra-special, slightly (okay, very) R-rated episode of SPAWNED with Kristen and Liz this week on Soundcloud right now. Or, subscribe to Spawned on iTunes and listen in the Podcast app that comes totally free with your iOS device. You just might make sure kids are out of the room for this one, or you’ve got your headphones on. We were a little punchy for this one. Links from SPAWNED Episode 10 Lenny Kravitz’s big accident on stage. Oops. This is awesome: Steven Tyler’s...

Here are our favorite links from around the web this week. Hope you like them too. Fun roundup of printable cards and gift tags for teacher gifts. Hilarious: 15 sketches of dads by their kids. The benefits of breastfeeding: Maybe not what we all think? Wow. Bye, David Letterman. We will miss you more than we miss the days that we could actually stay up late enough to watch you live. Also don’t miss this hilarious montage of Dave interviewing kids. “What’s your favorite food?” “Salt.” These Mad Men cast photos explain why there’s one more show we’re going to be missing this...

Okay, so we’ve been holding out on you all. Just a little. We are so so excited to be launching a campaign today that we’re calling #UnguiltyPleasures. We’ve been talking about this idea forever, ever since the idea of “mom guilt” entered our vocabularies, which we think was uh, prepartum. We’re tired of the guilt thing that women and moms face daily in their lives, and how for some reason, we’re not really supposed to enjoy so many of the little things that give us joy in our lives. So we decided, we’re not calling them Guilty Pleasures any more. From now on, they’re Unguilty Pleasures. And we can’t think...

With a seven-year-old who has yet to outgrow the My Little Pony obsession, I’ve conceded. All things being equal, I realize I’d rather her hide in her room with her friends role-playing stories about friendship and teamwork than whatever it is other cartoons are teaching–or not teaching. (Ahem, Sponge Bob.). So of course she flipped out, in a shriek-til-your-eardrums-bleed kind of way, when she first saw these My Little Pony Rainbow Dash slip-on shoes. (Update: This style shown no longer available, but visit the website for a full selection of My Little Pony sneakers for kids.) The design is pretty great,...

If you guys are anything like me, the news that ABC will share some of our favorite Schoolhouse Rock videos on network television in The ABC’s of Schoolhouse Rock made my day. And since I’ve been sharing the best Schoolhouse Rock videos on YouTube with my kids since they were old enough to sing Lolly Lolly Lolly, they are just as jazzed about this news as I am. For those of you who slept through the 70’s, just entered the country, or–gulp–weren’t born when they originally aired, Schoolhouse Rock‘s catchy, educational, and campy videos helped me learn everything from the Preamble to the Constitution...

Whether you’re having a full-blown awards bash or just plan on curling up with one other person, we’ve got the Oscar party food ideas for you. Nothing’s better than watching the Oscars with good food, some Champagne cocktails, and folks who’ll talk—or at least listen— about fashion. I’ll leave the gown breakdown for Monday morning, but today I’ve got recipes inspired by this year’s Best Picture nominees. And don’t forget to check my post on 6 bubbly cocktails. Just to keep things fancy. Gravity: Moon Pies Did you already guess what movie matches the homemade Moon Pies (above) from Tidy Mom? These are...

I just love a good awards show. The Grammys, Golden Globes, and the Tonys are great, but for me, the Oscars is the ultimate–Hollywood at its finest. If you enjoy celebrating the Academy Awards at home as much as I do, these easy DIY ideas will amp up your Oscar-watching party, and maybe even inspire us to switch up from the jeans and yoga pants on a Sunday night. (No need for professional makeup.) For updated 2015 Oscars printables and ideas, visit this post. First impressions are crucial for any award-winning event. This gorgeous Oscars invitation from Paperless Post...

Last year we swooned over the printable Hunger Games Valentines and while the Peeta/Gale competition still rages on, this year it’s all about Downton Abbey Valentines for us. The references are clearly from Season 4–I would have loved to see a Lady Rose I Go Wild For You, a bandleader Jack Ross Let’s Break New Territory, or a Daisy Mason I’m Not That Innocent. But overall they are a charmingly adult way to spread some love around your Masterpiece Theater-addicted office or playgroup. All said and done, it’s nice to see a little pop culture that’s heavier on the culture...

It’s Friday! That means it’s time for us to share some of our favorite links from around the web with you. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Love these adorable and easy arrow cupcake toppers for Valentine’s Day. Nice touch. [h/t Handmade Charlotte] From our editor Kristen: The one thing you’re doing wrong that’s making you feel like a failure. Must-read. From our editor Liz: An encouraging look at the future of fatherhood. Check out the Home Hour podcast, this week featuring not one but two of our very favorite parent bloggers. Tearing up at this Argentinian Coke...

Because we’re huge fans of moms everywhere, we’re also fans of Bono and his ONE organization and Project (RED). Especially because of what they’re doing during the Super Bowl tonight: U2 will release their new single, Invisible, (produced by the very cool Danger Mouse) on iTunes, all to help raise money to provide HIV/AIDS medicine to go to the 250,000 babies still born with HIV each year. Here’s the thing — it is free! But it will only be available from 6:00 pm Sunday night until 11:59 pm EST Monday night through the Project (RED) Site. [update: here’s the link for the U2...

Of course we love Westley, even in tiny yarn form. But it doesn’t stop with the crew from The Princess Bride. Whatever your favorite iconic movie is, chances are, the adorable Wee Little Stitches shop on Etsy has a DIY cross-stitch pattern and instructions ready for instant download. In fact there are more than 100, from the geeky to the 80s to a custom design of your family. So grab your needle, you’re going to need it. Does anybody want a peanut? Check out patterns from Star Wars and Doctor Who, to Labyrinth and the Goonies with a quirky shot of The...